Open AccessMental health, system barriers, and implicit bias in the treatment of refugees and newcomers: an interview with Dr. Javeed Sukhera
Author(s) -
Emily Dzongowski,
Himani Dhar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
uwomj/medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2560-8274
pISSN - 0042-0336
DOI - 10.5206/uwomj.v88i1.6104
Subject(s) - refugee , mental health , humanity , mental health care , mental healthcare , health care , psychology , quality (philosophy) , health professionals , psychiatry , nursing , medicine , political science , law , philosophy , epistemology
For psychiatrist Dr. Javeed Sukhera, quality mental health care for newcomer and refugee youth is extremely important. In particular, he advocates for trauma-informed care and awareness of implicit bias in medicine. Though frustrated with the currently inadequte funding of mental health treatment in Canada, Dr. Sukhera suggests that health professionals can take steps to provide care that serves the unique needs of refugee and newcomer populations. Fundamentally, he believes that this simply involves recognition of one’s own humanity and the common human experiences shared by refugees, newcomers, and healthcare providers alike.